Tag: Disney-Top-9
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Last month we went to Walt Disney World for a week-long vacation to celebrate my mum’s 60th birthday. Our package included a dining plan, which meant we enjoyed loads of snacks during our holiday (as there are two a day included in the plan). Obviously, we can’t include them all here, but we thoroughly enjoyed and would highly recommend using snack credits to buy food dishes during Epcot festivals.

Whilst I wouldn’t call it a snack because it was so big, it was snack credit eligible, and the tastiest treat I had all trip! Found near the American pavilion in the World Suitcase, this beauty was on my hit list after reading the Flower and Garden Festival food options and I’m glad to say it didn’t disappoint!

I got a lot of jealous looks whilst tucking in to it!

Night Blossom (Pongu Pongu, The World of Avatar – Animal Kingdom)

Not only is this a very instagramable drink but it was also cool and refreshing, perfect for those hot days. I wasn’t too sure about the Boba balls, but it really worked. I’m a real slushy fan so this was right up my street.

Cinnamon Rolls (Gaston’s Tavern, New Fantasyland – Magic Kingdom)

For those of you who don’t know I’ve recently added cinnamon rolls to my list of favourite foods, so much so that for the first 5 days in Disney I had a cinnamon roll everyday… I don’t regret it! My favourite had to be the giant one from Gaston’s Tavern, they heated it up and drizzled icing all over plus the theming at Gaston’s was incredible.

Sunglasses for scale

These were more bread-like compared to the pastry versions sold in Starbucks which really made it stand out from the rest, the pastry to sauce ratio is better on the Starbuck’s versions, but I still found them to be quite dry.

Corn on the Cob (Harambe Fruit Market, Africa – Animal Kingdom)

Now I know what you are thinking, why am I putting something healthy in this tasty treat #top9 but honestly it was amazing! And I’m a bit of a corn connoisseur so you know it’s true! Located near the entrance to Kilimanjaro Safaris, they flame-grill the corn on the cob right in front of you. Definitely order it with the spices on it, it’s so soft and fresh, I’m already thinking about getting this again when I next go back.

Premium Mickey Bar (Majority of ice cream locations and stands)

It wouldn’t be a Disney snacks top 9 without some mickey shaped foods in the mix, and the premium Mickey ice cream bar is a clear winner. This offers something sweet and cold on a hot Orlando day, and gives you exactly what it says on the tin.

True these are found throughout the park I’d recommend this refreshing drink. Be careful not to give yourself brain freeze but this one came with a free Disney straw.

Dole Whip (Aloha Isle, Adventureland – Magic Kingdom)

While I didn’t get a chance to have any this trip rest of my family did and seems to be a fan favourite with everyone including my sister Lucy! She was “convinced” into having one with dark rum on (in Africa – Animal Kingdom) and she looked pretty smug about it. “When the Dole whip melts to the right consistency you have once very tasty cocktail” direct quote from our whip connoisseur.

Another snack Lucy swears by (read: dedicates her life to), it was so tasty she wouldn’t save any to share with me! Found in the Germany pavilion, home to other tasty treated these are freshly made in house too, available in the white bags on the counter in either large or small.

Coffee and Hot chocolates (Starbucks – all parks and Disney Springs)

We took advantage of our snack credits by getting a Starbucks coffee most days, situated in each of the Disney parks, this gave us Brits a lovely respite from the horrors of “half and half”. I just want milk in my coffee! You can also find Orlando locals – Joffrey’s in each of the parks and at Disney Springs, which was just as delicious (Let us know your opinions on the Starbucks/Joffrey’s debate!).

Like what you see? We also have a Top 9 Snacks in Disneyland Paris article, so be sure to check it out and message us on social if we have missed out your favourite park snack!

You may be new to the parks, or looking to try something new; so here are our top 9 restaurants in Disneyland Paris Resort.
There are lots of eating establishments around the park, but for this article we have concentrated on table service locations, for much needed respite on a long park day.

1. Walt’s – An American Restaurant – Disneyland Park
This decked out restaurant runs along the top of main street, really making it feel like you’re in someone’s living room (maybe even Walt’s!). Each individual room is themed after a land within the Disneyland Paris park, make sure to have a look around whilst you are waiting for, or after you have finished your meal.

One of our favourites has to be this Cheese burger with fries and Walt’s personal favourite – chilli. The burger is made from a really succulent and well braised piece of beef that just melts in your mouth

2. Vapiano – Disney Village
We go on about Vapiano A LOT, but with good reason. We have visited it on our last 2 trips and are yet to be disappointed by our food choices. Italian food at its best, its not super fast but it is always delicious. The restaurants décor creates a lovely calming atmosphere, a nice haven away from the manic quick service counters in the parks.

3. Bistrot Chez Rémy – Walt Disney Studios Park
This is probably the best themed eatery in the entire resort. The excellent detailing in this restaurant means that no matter where you sit there is always a treat for the eyes. Not just that but there is also some exquisite French cuisine on offer; particularly the dauphinoise potatoes, steak and of course… their signature ratatouille.

4. The Steakhouse – Disney Village
Located towards the back of Disney Village near the lagoon is The Steakhouse. Hidden inside a Chicago warehouse this steak joint is usually easy to get into if the crowds are big in the village. The steak is always en pointe, as you can see pictured below the sides are ample, and they have a great wine list. They also have a number of great choices if you are on a dining plan.

5. Buffalo Bills – Disney Village
This Wild West show has everything – action, excitement and some delicious cowboy cookout. All you can eat! Which is good, because prices can be steep. It is definitely worth a go if you have never been before. The show includes some great stunts and performances as well as audience participation. Beware that people with animal or hay fever allergies will not fare well.

6. Rainforest café – Disney Village
Personally, this is Holly’s favourite place to eat. Who doesn’t love eating amongst animals with a tropical thunderstorm going on, and don’t get us started on the famous VOLCANO dessert.

7. Auberge de Cendrillon – Disneyland Park
Head through the castle into Fantasyland, and you will see Cinderella’s restaurant on the right hand side. With a beautiful pumpkin carriage outside, providing the perfect photo opportunity for your little princes and princesses. The food here is top notch, and only doesn’t score higher up on the list because we are not fans of character meets. This is a fantastic place to go if you are celebrating a birthday as you get treated like royalty and you might be visited by a princess or two!

8. Captain Jack’s – Restaurant des Pirates – Disneyland Park
Newly rebranded from the old ‘Blue Lagoon’ restaurant, Captain Jack’s is located alongside the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. With authentic cuisine from all parts of the Caribbean, this is definitely something for those with a more exotic palette. It is the perfect date location as you can get a table by the river and watch the pirates of the Caribbean boats go by. But beware – you may even get a visit from Captain Jack himself!Note: We have never had good service in this restaurant, the waiters are always overloaded with tables and it really suffers from this as it is hard to get attention when you need it. So, it is worth a visit, but don’t head there with plans to leave early!

9. Annette’s Diner – Disney Village
Who doesn’t love burgers and rollerblades? Within this great themed diner, the servers all skate around bringing your shakes straight to your table. The food is fresh and served fast – perfect for a quick lunch in the village before shopping!

Have we missed any restaurants, or do you disagree with our top 9? Get in touch on social we’d love to hear from you.

We had a lovely weekend away with our sister and sister-in-law – who have just announced that they are having a baby! We are both thrilled for them and can’t wait to start the baby’s Disney education!

We also thought an article about what to expect when you’re expecting in Disneyland would be useful for any other prospective mothers out there that have a trip coming up and might be worried!

Get your access pass
This is a must, as soon as you’ve entered the park head to City Hall (or Studio Services), where they can give you the latest information on what is suitable to do whilst in Disneyland. They can also answer any questions or concerns you may have.
They provided a list of rides suitable, as well as an Easy Access Card which allowed us to wait in virtual queues saving the mum-to-be from standing for long periods of time.

How it works: If we arrived at Buzz Lightyear at 12:00, and the current queue time was 40 minutes, we would be issued 12:40 as a time to return. If the queue time is less than 10 minutes you are allowed straight in.

Note: You need to have some kind of proof in order to get this pass. Our sister-in-law used her maternity exemption card issued to her by the NHS.

Sitting room in city hall – mothers can have a quiet sit down, lots of seating throughout the parks

Ride some rides!
Whilst you can’t go on Big Thunder Mountain, you can still go on It’s a Small World so it’s not all bad news! For a paper copy of appropriate rides head to City Hall or alternatively download the Disneyland Paris App where you can filter: “Suitable for Expectant Mothers”

Rachel’s favourite ride is Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast, which fortunately was on the pre-approved ride list! We probably went on it 6 times over the 3 days…!

Hop on the train!
Take is easy by taking a trip around the park on the Disneyland Railroad. The good thing about the train is you can stay on for as long as you want, and avoid any adverse weather that might be occurring.

Eat some good food!There are lots of really good eateries around the parks, in the hotels and Disney Village so don’t let them go to waste! For great theming try Toad Hall in Fantasyland, The Golden Nugget in Frontierland and Walt’s on Main Street USA. Our new favourite is Vapiano, an Italian located near the entrance of Disney Village with fresh, fast food at not bad prices for Disneyland!

The Golden Nugget – Frontierland

Hakuna Matata – Adventureland

Pineapple Upside Down at Walts – Main Street USA

Drink some tasty drinks!
Whether it is a Sweet Main Street cocktail at Walts, a slush puppy at Sequoia Lodge or a limited edition 25th Anniversary non-alcoholic cocktail you’ll find lots of options throughout the resort.

Sweet Main Street at Walts

Take it easy!

When some people think of Disney they think of rushing around but even with so much to see there is something to be said about taking it leisurely. Take the time whilst you are around the park – one of my favourite things is to walk down Main Street and to look at all the windows both at and above eye level.
Another great feature (perfect for pregnant ladies) is scattered throughout the park are lots of benches and covered areas e.g. Arcades on Main Street USA so you’ll be able to take a quiet moment to relax.

Experience the Shows

Currently the Studio park is better to head to for shows with two big theatres Animaque and Cinemaque, as well as Stitch Live! and Art of Animation. Obviously, we have to mention the amazing night time shows which Disney produce. On our latest trip, it was the Season of the Force and the projection mapping on the legendary Tower of Terror was incredible.

Take a drawing class

This hidden gem is housed within Art of Animation where you can watch two films on animation and the process of developing a character. Once you have left the final theatre, on your left hand side there is a drawing class set up. Each class gives you the opportunity to draw a different character, which they announce at the start of the class. Characters rotate, so you can come back at any time to do a different one, ideal for when the rest of the party want to go on a thrill ride.

Meet some charactersDisney is teeming with characters at designated meet-and-greets but if you are lucky you can interect with them as they wonder the park! We watched poor Captain Jack Sparrow’s minder have his handful as he was lurking in the caves in Adventureland!

Overall, we found the staff very helpful and knowledgeable making the trip painless and easy. Being able to do virtual queuing meant no long periods of standing up which kept our mother-to-be’s energy levels up and was able to manage whole days in the park (don’t worry we didn’t drag her round everywhere!). We would like to give a big shout out to Rachel our sister-in-law for allowing us to share this magical occasion with her, we can’t wait to be the best Disney Aunties ever!

As a family, we have gone to the Disney Parks since we were little, and each trip has been different. During our trip in October we put together our #Top9 things for grown-ups to do in Disneyland Paris Resort:

Scream on the rollercoasters

Not all rides are suitable for small children – so this is our time to shine. Get your adrenalin fix on some of the most imaginative rides in the world, our favourites include the Tower of Terror and the newly updated Big Thunder Mountain.

Dine well

Being in Disneyland Paris doesn’t mean you need to eat only burgers and fast food. Two places we would recommend is Bistrot Chez Rémy in Walt Disney Studio Park and the newly opened Vapiano in the Disney Village, an exciting diffrent approach to fast service Italian food.

Take a tour

Head to City Hall and book on one of the tours around the parks. Get a behind the scene look at some of the attractions, learn about the theming and all the hidden Disney gems waiting to be found.

Try the speciality drinks

Each bar has a signature drink, during our last trip we went to several bars throughout the resort. We really enjoyed the glowtini available at most hotel bars and the Redwood lounge and bar in the Sequoia Lodge had some unique choices using sap liqueur.

Go shopping

Disney Village is the main shopping district, perfect for picking up gifts and park unique merchandise. We love going into The Disney Gallery; Holly is currently collecting the old-style attraction posters, which can regularly be found here. You’re a grown up responsible for your own finances – go treat yourself.

Ride the rides during parades and fireworks

Disney fireworks are amazing, but if you are staying for more than one day, take advantage of empty lands and queues. Big Thunder Mountain becomes much less crowded once everyone takes their places for the fireworks, so we take advantage and ride till we die. We also did some evening shopping on Main Street USA during the fireworks on one of our evenings. The shops were empty, and it was so relaxed, much nicer than the usual exit from the park frenzy.

Bar crawl through the resort

The Disneyland Paris Resort isn’t as big as you would think! The Disney Village is full of great bars and each hotel has a bar worth visiting, so discover more on foot.
Don’t worry we’ve already done the legwork, see our route.

Rock your accessories

Dressing up is not just for kids. However, you are not able to wear full costume within the parks, except at the Halloween ticketed event. A neat way around this is you can go Disney bounding (e.g. theming your clothing around a character), or simply accessorise! There are plenty of items you can buy in high street shops that can ‘Disneyfy’ your style. This trip Lucy handmade ears and personalised them for each of us. These were a hit, and we were showered with complements, including impressed cast members (which meant a lot – as they must see it all). This spurred her on to open a shop to share the magic with you all.

These ears are reversible!

Take time to enjoy hotel facilities

Take full advantage of all that is available where you are staying. Within the Disneyland Paris hotel there are spa facilities and most hotels in the resort have a swimming pool. Be sure to rest your feet after long days in the park.

This was the first Disneyland-style park to serve alcohol when it was added to table service menus in 1993, because guests expected it as part of the “French experience”. You can even pick up a bottle of beer with your hotdog at Casey’s Corner! Never-the-less, keeping up the Disney tradition (see drink around the world at EPCOT), we have formulated a fool proof plan to tick off seeing what the other hotels have to offer, a bit of a rest whilst the parks are busiest in the afternoon and sample the signature cocktails along the way!

During our trip in October we wanted to take it more leisurely and also view some of the hotels we had never stayed in before. We thought we’d put together this route to highlight all the great bars around the resort, each has a unique cocktail so be sure to scour the menu for what’s different in each place.

Our trail starts from the Parks, through the Village, around all the Disney hotels and back to the Village ready for you to dance the night away!

Have a fun morning in the parks, but when the crowds start to grow, escape and relax in these lovely bars.

First stop:

Sports Bar – Disney Village

Always a good place to grab a quick drink and snack to set you up for the day. There are always plenty of tables outside and European football is always being shown – if you have a fan in your midst.

Recommended drink: Grimbergen d’Abbaye blonde (Belgian lager)

Next: Head along the lake to Newport Bay Hotel.

Captain’s Quarters – Disney’s Newport Bay Club

Just down the corridor from the reception, Captain’s Quarter is a cosy bar which faces down onto the Lake which is a perfect accompaniment to the relaxing atmosphere.

Recommended drink: Black Pearl

Next: Head round the side of the lake towards Sequoia Lodge.

Redwood Bar and Lounge – Disney’s Sequoia Lodge

In keeping with the hotel, the Redwood bar is based on a Californian ski lodge, complete with a huge central fire which, when lit, just adds to the cosy ambience. The bar really is breath taking, and absolutely reminded Lucy of her trip to Mammoth Lakes (CA).

Recommended drink: Alba

Next: Now wind your way down the scenic pathway, keep the “river” on your left and head to Santa Fe.

Rio Grande Bar – Disney’s Hotel Santa Fe

Although this Route 66/Cars theme is simple it still hits the spot, nice enough to stop to put your feed up and take a break.

Recommended drink: Sweet Velvet

Next: Head across the bridge to the wild west and Hotel Cheyenne.

Red Garter Saloon – Disney’s Hotel Cheyenne

Hotel Cheyenne, themed like a wild west town, is home the beautiful Red Garter Saloon. Whilst we were there Cheyenne was experiencing some renovation, so the full experience wasn’t there but the bar seemed cosy and perfect for a tipple.

Recommended drink: Cheyenne

Next: Keeping the “river” to your left, continue back towards Disney Village to New York.

New York City Bar – Disney’s Hotel New York

As the name here suggests, this is themed like a New York city bar! Cosy chairs and friendly bar staff welcome you here. This was the first place we went for a drink on our first night as we had heard good things, and we were not disappointed.

Recommended drink: Glowtini and the 25th anniversary special drink – lumière de l’étoile.

Next: Head back to the Village.

Billy Bob’s Country Western Saloon – Disney Village

Disney Village is home to a few bars but we believe Billy Bob’s has the best theming. With live country music performers most evenings and indoor and outdoor seating it makes for a party!

Recommended drink: Kronenberg 1664

Next: Head to the Disneyland park entrance and hop inside the Disneyland Hotel. Up the main central staircase and along the corridor and you’ll find yourself at Café Fantasia.

Café Fantasia – Disneyland Hotel

With pictures depicting scenes from Fantasia on the walls, this bar just oozes elegance and class. Whilst we were there for Halloween there they had an incredible violinist and pianist playing “This is Halloween” from Nightmare Before Christmas along with other wonderful classical Disney tunes. It was really lovely, and although this bar is closest to the park it felt very removed from the hustle and bustle.

Next: Exit through the lobby to the Disneyland park entrance; this is the final stop hopefully you’ve made it this far!

Head back into the park for fireworks

You could even pick up a beer at Casey’s if you’re still standing!

This is something we will definitely do again as it was really great way of exploring the resort which isn’t actually big as you would think. The longest walk we had was between Sequoia Lodge and Santa Fe, but we welcomed a nice cool breeze and a relaxing stroll.

This list is obviously our opinion, and we are slightly sensitive to being thrown upside down too much. Rides like Space Mountain (Or Hyperspace Mountain) and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith did not make the cut because when we exit those rides we have to sit down for 20 minutes afterwards. Maybe we’re getting too old – but we think it’s because of the bone rattling qualities of these rides, they are not smooth. Don’t get us wrong, we enjoy thrill rides (note: The Hulk (Islands of Adventure, Florida) and Air (Alton Towers)), but we enjoy something a bit smoother on the old cranium.

Big Thunder Mountain

‘The wildest ride in the wilderness’: Big Thunder Mountain is one of our favourite rides in any park. It was closed for quite a while for renovation, and our last trip was the first time we had experienced it’s new form. The Paris version is definitely the best, it is the only one to go underwater – using the same technology as the Euro tunnel. So glad it got the upgrade we experienced at the California resort, the updated graphics and much needed polish has definitely improved the experience.

Ratatouille: The Adventure

This is one of the newest rides within the Walt Disney Studio Park, shrinking you down to the size of a mouse to explore Remy’s restaurant kitchen. This is definitely a 4D ride, with all the sights and smells really enhancing this experience.

The Twilight Zone Tower Of Terror

Check into this Hollywood hotel and enter the Twilight Zone to discover what happened on that night in 1939. This is another ride that never gets boring, there are a few different scenarios to keep you guessing when the drop happens.Top tip: Make sure you redo the ride after sunset to see both parks lit up at night, it’s beautiful!

Crush’s Coaster

Ride the East Australian Current on Crush’s shell as you explore the wide open ocean. This thrill ride used to be the best thing about the Studios park, it is so immersive and beautiful and yet still keeps you terrified and clinging to your seat. It’s only flaw is the queuing system – so head there first if you want to ride it without waiting 90 minutes!

Star Tours: The Adventures Continue

Updated in March 2017, this ride got a facelift including the introduction of 3D technology and the addition of extra scenes now Disney own the rights to Star Wars. There are 70 different missions, so no two rides should be the same. Our mother took it upon herself to test this riding it three times in a row – and every version was different (including the five times she rode it total over the weekend).

Phantom Manor

999 happy haunts welcome you to this haunted house, take a journey to the underworld and discover the story behind the jilted bride of this grand mansion. Despite riding this countless times, we still are weary and will never opt to be the single rider if the group number is uneven! It’s great for resting weary feet, and the queue is never very long so it’s the perfect ride when everything else in Frontierland is packed. What would make it perfect is a Nightmare Before Christmas makeover like the California version gets, giving it a little revival and love!

Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast

Earn your Star Commander Rank by helping to defend Sector 9 from the evil Emperor Zeug. This is great for target practise and never gets old, because of the competition element it gives. Take on the rest of your group with a head to head, make it interesting and say winner buys the next round of snacks! Whilst our heart lies with Toy Story Midway Mania – this will satisfy our needs… for now.

Le Carrousel de Lancelot

Because who doesn’t love a carousel? Adding a touch of old-worldy class, we love this ride. Each horse comes from old working carousels, and are beautifully decorated. For an extra thrill climb on top of one of the big horses on the outside, it can get quite high!

Pirates of the Caribbean

Also recently renovated, this ride is always worth a go. The new effects are great and we particularly the new addition of feminism – the Red Head is now a pirate – well done Disney. Excellent theming throughout the queue also keeps you occupied in case you have to wait.

Is there anything we have missed? Reach out on social and let us know!

We really slaved away on this one, arduously trying anything we could get our mitts on. It is worth noting that some of these will only be available during the 25th anniversary celebrations, and some were special Halloween snacks so may not be available year-round. However, get them whilst they’re good!

We’ve had a few disagreements about this so we are actually going to do two lists, everyone’s tastes are different and everyone’s opinions are valid.

Holly’s list:

Cookies and Cream Bat Cupcake – Boardwalk Candy Palace

I ate this on the plane back home, a nice little treat to ease the Disney blues. Good ratio of icing to cake which was soft, nice to go out on a high.

Frozen Marshmallow Lollypop – Frozen Kiosk by Chaparral Theatre

White chocolate dripped marshmallow on a stick, simple, delicious and gone. I almost managed to eat the whole thing before Lucy noticed!

Cactus Sugar Cookie – Fuente del Oro Restaurante

Perfect with the Mexican/Day of the Dead theme. This biscuit was light and fluffy, easy to eat one or two or three….

Triple chocolate fudge – Boardwalk Candy Palace

Freshly made each day, the Boardwalk Candy Palace has so many different flavours of fudge to choose from. My favourite of the flavours I tried was the triple chocolate, it wasn’t too rich and I didn’t get bored of the flavour. This is definitely on my list to of must have park treats for our next visit.

Churros – Fuente del Oro Restaurante

I’m a big fan of churros, and now with my new-found love of anything cinnamon – this was perfect for me. Light and fluffy inside and crispy on the outside; the generous portion is enough to share (but still manageable if you don’t want to).

Princess Leia Meringue – Boardwalk Candy Palace

How can you not enjoy a Star Wars themed treat? These are few and far between in Disneyland and it was out of this world ?.

Halloween Pumpkin Cupcake – Boardwalk Candy Palace

Garnished with a hidden mickey, this cupcake was a perfect Halloween treat. The frosting had a slight orange taste, but the design alone gets it in my #top9.

Roasted chestnuts – 25th Anniversary stalls in the Disney Village

Normally found at Christmas markets, I was very excited to see them in the village. I purchased the smaller size, and it was huge! Which means there was, more than enough to share (especially important when they say they don’t want any when you asked before buying, and they start tucking in anyway).

Chocolate donut – Cable Car Bake Shop

I couldn’t finish my list without putting a donut on. I love donuts, I can’t get enough of donuts. Everyone should get this donut. Did I say donut enough?

Lucy’s List:

Mickey Star Nutella biscuit – Cable Car Bake Shop

I really didn’t expect this one to be as marvellous as it was. The biscuit was beautiful, and if you’re a big fan of Nutella you’re going to LOVE this.

Mint Chocolate fudge – Boardwalk Candy Palace

All fudge at Disneyland is pretty spectacular, but the mint chocolate one really is the ka-buiznezz.

Cactus biscuit – Fuente del Oro Restaurante

Bought on a whim, having been stood waiting to place my order for a while staring at the biscuit adverts. This was actually really good, the biscuit is like a sugar cookie, green icing was pretty standard but wedged between the two was a surprising (and uneven) layer of white chocolate – which was what made it perfect!

Chocolate donut – Cable Car Bake Shop

We were questing for the 25th Anniversary celebration donuts at Cable car when we had to settle for these. They were great, just a really tasty fresh donut (and definitely not frozen like the ones at, ironically, the Frozen cart).

Since visiting Disneyland Resort in California, I have been obsessed with their ‘Candy Apples’ and was very excited to see them appear at Paris. However, they aren’t caramel apples but the generic European toffee apples. The difference being American candy apples are a rather decadent caramel topped with chocolate whereas we just have a hard sugar casing to ours. Nevertheless, it was still tasty and therefore made the list! Also the decoration was very pretty.

Halloween Pumpkin cupcake – Boardwalk Candy Palace

Seasonal treat which was very tasty, I really liked this one because I thought the icing had an orange/pumpkin flavour and was more marshmallow-y than the cookies and cream cupcake. Despite what I had previously heard about Disneyland Paris cupcakes, it was well baked, fresh and moist.

Churros – Fuente del Oro

The first churro I have ever had – that I enjoyed. Not at all a greasy mess, these tiny churro loops were very tasty and really complimented the Mexican food we had at Fuento del Oro. These were also an impulse buy because mum wanted a hot drink – so we got them cheaper as part of the ‘Delicious Treat’ deal.

Frozen Marshmallow lollypop – Frozen hut by Chaparral Theatre

This did exactly what it said on the tin, strawberry marshmallow covered in white chocolate – what’s not to like? Nothing. Simple and delicious.

This is bottom of the list because it was quite dry, and cold – which leads me to believe it was frozen and thawed out (this was a morning purchase). Definitely not as soft and fresh as the chocolate donut from Cable car, but the nutella filling was great so I can see how nice it would have been if you’d managed to get a fresh one.

Snacks we tried that were disappointing:

A couple of the items where dry and cold (potentially frozen and defrosted), like the 25th Anniversary donuts.

The Frozen chocolate cake lollypop with coconut white chocolate topping was confusing and none of us really took to it. Eating off the coconut white chocolate was pretty tasty, but the cake inside was flavourless and dry.

I was very excited to try a Jack Skellington chocolate apple (again, hoping for a caramel apple reunion) however this was just a green apple covered in a thin layer of white chocolate. At the very least put a layer of toffee in there! This at best, is instagrammable, not delicious.

We hope you snack lowdown, did we miss any? Reach out on social and tell us your favorite Disneyland Paris snack is!

Pack comfortable shoes (and a spare pair!)
Each Disneyland Paris park is around 20 km2 and you’ll easily do 15,000 steps a day. If you aren’t used to walking this much it will be tough on your feet. Be sure to take lots of breaks and make sure you have practical shoes. We swear by Sketchers as their memory form soles are heaven on your feet – like squishy clouds! A couple of extra pairs of socks wouldn’t go amiss either.

Make sure you have enough t-shirtsThis might seem a little over cautious, but with lots of walking and the interchangeable weather conditions in Paris, you’ll be glad you have a spare back at your hotel to change into.

Prepare for all weathers
Let’s be real, Disneyland Paris isn’t blessed with the climate California is, the weather can be beautiful but it can also be unpredictable. Check the forecast before your trip but prepare for every eventuality by packing a rain mac and some sun cream. This would be an excellent time to remember a poncho from a past visit – feeling smug I remembered mine!

Disney merchandiseDon’t forget your purchases from your last visit! If you’re like us, you’ll have an extensive collection of Disney merchandise such as pyjamas, t-shirts and hats. Lots of stores including H&M and Primark stock reasonably priced Disney clothing, so for those of us on a budget this is the perfect way to show your Disney side whilst saving your pennies!

Backpack for the park
You can take your bag on the rides so don’t worry about storing it. Get a comfortable bag which you don’t mind carrying all day, with compartments for easy access to tickets and money as these are what you will need most in the parks.

Don’t forget your plug adaptorThe last thing you need is to be stuck not being able to charge your camera or worse, phone! How will you let everyone know you’re at Disneyland? If you are from within the EU (with the exceptions of UK and Ireland) your plugs will work fine. For the rest of us (and guests travelling from USA), you can pick up a cheap EU travel adaptor at most supermarkets or pharmacies. If you do forget to pack an adaptor or charger most hotel shops stock them, however they will come at a premium.

Leave room for souvenirs
Probably the most important point, leave room for souvenirs! Holly always comes home with a new jigsaw and the latest pins whilst Lucy invests in more practical items such as kitchenware… and candy apples. Don’t miss out as they could be gone before you get a chance to come back.

First Aid KitThe last thing you need is for your day to be ruined by a blister or a headache, take care of yourselves and your family by packing essentials such as: lip balm, plasters (normal and blister), ibuprofen, paracetamol, cold sore patches (a must for our family), rehydration sachets (in case of stomach bug – but also great in case you become dehydrated after a hot day in the parks) and tiger balm (to soothe aches after a long park day – also great for insect bites).

Honourable mention: Whilst we don’t have children we do have an adorable niece. A good idea (and one we are going to put into practise for our family trip to Orlando in May) is to purchase your child an outfit before you arrive. You can find preowned Disney princess dresses on eBay for a fraction of the price or even kit your kid out in Primarks finest. This way you are sure to make them feel special with their own outfit, but again is a great way to save money (some outfits in the parks can cost 80 Euros all in!)

We hope you find this useful, and enjoy your holiday – and don’t pack anyone by accident!

My top 9 must-dos in Discoveryland every time I go to Disneyland Paris.

Become a space ranger
Help Buzz Lightyear defend Sector 9 from the evil Emperor Zurg. You and a friend hop aboard a pod and try to get as many points as you can. You gain points by shooting targets with your lazer gun, the more difficult the target the higher the score which helps you to improve your space ranger rank.

Chow down at Videopolis
This large dining area is perfect to pick up some fast food and to shelter from the inevitable bad weather you may face in Disneyland Paris.

Head to a galaxy far far away
Star Tours takes you on a journey through the galaxy. Be sure to ride a couple of times, as a recent upgrade means that there are a few different scenarios to experience.

Blast off with Space Mountain
Space Mountain 2: Mission Space, fires you to space through a supercharged canon. From May 2017 this ride has been rebranded to Hyperspace Mountain to add to the Star Wars celebrations.

Dive 20,000 leagues under the seaLes Mystères du Nautilus is a walk-through attraction hidden underneath the lagoon by Space Mountain. Captain Nemo’s submarine shows part of the tale of 20,000 leagues under the sea, watch out for the monster!

Cruise around with Autopia
No driver’s license needed for this ride; themed after what 1950s inventors thought cars of the future would be like. This ride very much reminds me of a giant Scalextric and therefore fulfils many a childhood fantasy.

Soar over DiscoverylandOrbitron, inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s drawing of the solar system, this is a rocket ride similar to Dumbo the flying elephant. Jump into a missile and soar over Discoveryland, whilst you and a friend control the height and position. This ride tends to have a longer queue as there isn’t a high capacity for the ride and no FastPass is available, I would recommend going early or late in the day.

Hop on the railway
When the heat draws in (occasionally!), and your feet start to get tired, a good way to sit down but not miss any of the sights or sounds of Disneyland is to take the train. This circular route around Disneyland Paris park is a delight, and you can beat those Main Street station queues by boarding at Discoveryland.

See Discoveryland light up
Wait till the sun goes down and the neons around Discoveryland light up, it truly is a magical time of night.

Explore the entrance to FrontierlandAt the front of the land in the entrance off the Main Street hub, you’ll find a re-enactment of a logger town. This is the perfect place to explore, climb up the stairs and get a different perspective of the land.

Join the 999 happy hauntsThe Phantom Manor is home to a variety of ghosts and ghouls, just be sure to come back to the land of the living. My favourite part of the ride is called Phantom Canyon, which shows a wild west town full of spirits. The continual movement of the carriages through this ride means that wait times are rarely above 20 minutes.

Walk with the dead at Phantom Manor
As you stumble out of the Phantom Manor take a detour left into its cemetery. You may notice some witty tombstones such as Lead foot Fred who danced too slow and now he’s dead

Watch the geyserSitting alongside the Phantom manor and visible from the Disneyland railway, these stunning geysers shoot “hot” water into the air. This attraction is currently being renovated but hopefully it will come back soon as it’s a thrill to watch.

Take a photo in the wild westObviously in this day and age, a selfie is a must; if you time it just right you can catch a glimpse of the mine train in the background.

Travel on Mark TwainTake the Thunder Mesa Riverboat around Big Thunder Mountain. This relaxing boat ride is the perfect way to slow down and take in the sights. If you time your exit from the Phantom Manor correctly you won’t have to wait long for the next sailing. Make sure you are one of the first to enter as there is limited seating.

Ride Big Thunder Mountain at sunsetIn my opinion, the best time to ride Big Thunder Mountain is as the sun is going down. The colours on the red rocks dance with the sunset and the experience is more immersive with the darkness becoming even darker. So hop on for “the wildest ride in the wilderness!”

Check out the themingBuilt like an 1850s American gold rush town, Frontierland is packed full of excellent theming. Check out the historic facades, posters and props scattered amongst the land.

Ride the railsThis mine town railway station was built for transporting gold, hop aboard and take a tour of the hidden features around the park. This is another great stop to get on as an alternative to the Main Street station, as it tends to be less congested so you can get on with a relatively low wait time.